The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $250,000 grant to University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Assistant Professor of Mathematics Monique Chyba to conduct an on-going three-year project using mathematical theory to develop an autonomous underwater vehicle for ocean exploration.

Through a partnership between the UH Mānoa Mathematics Department and the Autonomous System Laboratory (ASL) of the UH Mānoa College of Engineering, the project will not only promote the application of mathematical theories but also bridge the gap between the two disciplines of math and engineering. The application of control theory to underwater vehicles will demonstrate the potential for successful collaborative efforts of engineers and mathematicians.

"I believe this is a very important step for our university as interdisciplinary collaborations become more and more important for the future of our students," said Chyba. "The high diversity of this project should allow me to share the love of mathematics not only among mathematicians, but also with other scientists and with the non-scientist population."

Chyba, who joined the UH Mānoa faculty in 2002, researches topics concerning mathematical control theory and differential geometry. She is a frequent guest speaker at various international symposiums and workshops and has written numerous mathematical publications, including her new book "Singular Trajectories and Their Role in Control Theory," and "A surprising non optimal path for underwater vehicles" to be presented at an international conference in Maui this coming December.